The Government said it was suspending long-term aid to Niger after a military coup last week and backed regional efforts to reinstate the West African country’s deposed president.
The announcement came as Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Monday begins a three-nation tour of West Africa that will take in Niger’s southern neighbour Nigeria, which is a leading member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The 15-nation bloc on Sunday said it was suspending relations with Niger and authorised the use of military force if Mohamed Bazoum is not restored as president within a week.
Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said: “The UK wholly supports the immediate political and economic measures announced today by ECOWAS and will suspend long-term development assistance to Niger.
“We will however continue to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Niger,” he said.
“The UK is a committed partner of Niger’s democratically elected government and calls for President Bazoum to be immediately reinstated to restore constitutional order.”
A group of soldiers appeared on the former French colony’s national television last Wednesday to declare they had removed Mr Bazoum from power, and he was being held in the presidential palace.
Tensions have soared following the seventh coup of recent years in the Sahel region, where the governments of Niger and other countries have partnered with the West to tackle Islamist terrorism.
As ECOWAS met to adopt its sanctions, crowds in Niger’s capital Niamey burned French flags and stoned France’s embassy, drawing tear gas from police.
Mr Cleverly’s four-day tour of Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia is focussed on investment, according to the Foreign Office, but is likely to take in the Niger situation when he meets Nigerian ministers on Tuesday.
“With the UK-African Investment Summit to be hosted in London in April next year, we are looking to strengthen our business links and grow our economies together,” he said.
